A brief history of disgruntled Rockets players

January 26, 2014 10:54 AM

Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle

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Though the Rockets may be one of the NBA's destination teams, not every player has enjoyed their time in Houston.
Backup center Omer Asik is the latest to express his frustration as a part of the Rockets. Here is a look at other players who have reached a stalemate with the franchise. less

Though the Rockets may be one of the NBA's destination teams, not every player has enjoyed their time in Houston.
Backup center Omer Asik is the latest to express his frustration as a part of the Rockets. ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle

Though the Rockets may be one of the NBA's destination teams,... Photo-5484190.74387 - Houston Chronicle

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Hakeem Olajuwon
Even the most recognizable player in team history had a beef with the Rockets. In the twilight of his career, he rejected an offer from the Rockets and requested to be traded. They granted him his wish.
"Hakeem's decision is disappointing for the entire Rockets organization,'' Rockets owner Les Alexander said at the time. ''Hakeem Olajuwon has meant more to this franchise and this city than any other athlete in Houston history. We desperately wanted to keep him in a Rockets uniform for the remainder of his career and made every attempt to do so. It is with a heavy heart that we have agreed to his request.'' less

Hakeem Olajuwon Even the most recognizable player in team history had a beef with the Rockets. In the twilight of his career, he rejected an offer from the Rockets and requested to be traded. They granted him

Hakeem Olajuwon
Even the most recognizable player in team... Photo-5484191.74387 - Houston Chronicle

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The Rockets disagreement with Hakeem Olajuwon resulted in a strange sight - Olajuwon wearing a jersey that wasn't the Rockets. After 17 years as a Rocket, Olajuwon played his 18th and final season for the Toronto Raptors.
Both sides have made nice since the bitter breakup, as Olajuwon has been hired by the Rockets as a special assistant. less

The Rockets disagreement with Hakeem Olajuwon resulted in a strange sight - Olajuwon wearing a jersey that wasn't the Rockets. After 17 years as a Rocket, Olajuwon played his 18th and final season for the ... more

Tracy McGrady
T-Mac's tenure started with promise and ended in a trade. A severe back condition hindered McGrady's career. After returning from a prolonged absence, coach Rick Adelman and McGrady disagreed on playing time. He was eventually traded to the New York Knicks in 2010 in a deal that brought Kevin Martin to the Rockets. less

Tracy McGrady T-Mac's tenure started with promise and ended in a trade. A severe back condition hindered McGrady's career. After returning from a prolonged absence, coach Rick Adelman and McGrady disagreed on

Scottie Pippen
Michael Jordan's legendary sidekick was never a good fit with the Rockets. The Rockets traded for Pippen in the lockout-shortened 1998-1999 season in hopes of him being the final piece to a championship with Charles Barkley and Hakeem Olajuwon. But there would be no postseason glory.
Pippen and Barkley didn't get along very well, and he was dealt the following offseason to the Portland Trail Blazers. less

Scottie Pippen Michael Jordan's legendary sidekick was never a good fit with the Rockets. The Rockets traded for Pippen in the lockout-shortened 1998-1999 season in hopes of him being the final piece to a

After a series of injuries in the 2012 season, Lowry returned and split time at point guard with Goran Dragic. Unsatisfied with the change, Lowry expressed his desire to be moved. The Rockets traded him to Toronto for Gary Forbes and a future draft pick. less

Kyle Lowry

After a series of injuries in the 2012 season, Lowry returned and split time at point guard with Goran Dragic. Unsatisfied with the change, Lowry expressed his desire to be moved. The Rockets ... more

Photo: Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle

Kyle Lowry
After a series of injuries in the 2012 season,... Photo-5484195.74387 - Houston Chronicle

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Vernon Maxwell
'Mad Max' played a crucial role in the Rockets' first NBA championship in 1994, but he was prone to trouble. He had an incident with a fan in Portland among other legal woes.
When the Rockets acquired Clyde Drexler it disappointed Maxwell and signaled the end of his time in Houston. He was waived by the team and picked up by the Philadelphia 76ers. less

Vernon Maxwell 'Mad Max' played a crucial role in the Rockets' first NBA championship in 1994, but he was prone to trouble. He had an incident with a fan in Portland among other legal woes. When the Rockets

Royce White
The Rockets drafted White No. 16 overall in the 2012 - but the forward will likely never play an NBA game. He has a highly-publicized fear of flying as a part of an anxiety disorder. He demanded the NBA institute a protocol for players with his condition, initially refused an assignment to the Rockets' D-League affiliate and was a general headache for the franchise's management.
White was traded to the 76ers the same day Houston reached an agreement with Dwight Howard. Philadelphia cut White after an inconsistent preseason, and it's unlikely any other organization will take a risk on him. less

Royce White The Rockets drafted White No. 16 overall in the 2012 - but the forward will likely never play an NBA game. He has a highly-publicized fear of flying as a part of an anxiety disorder. He demanded

Omer Asik
The Turkish center's days are numbered in Houston. Asik's feelings have been hurt ever since the team signed Dwight Howard after he had the best season of his career.
Asik requested a trade in the aftermath of the Howard signing, but his wish was not granted. The Rockets tried a lineup with him and Howard but chose to make Asik a bench player. Television cameras caught him sulking on the bench and he missed two games because of his diminished minutes. It's not a matter of if but when Asik is sent to another team. less

Omer Asik The Turkish center's days are numbered in Houston. Asik's feelings have been hurt ever since the team signed Dwight Howard after he had the best season of his career. Asik requested a trade in the